Junior: Overcoming Adversity With Support

Nathaniel (who commonly goes by Junior) is a senior this year and his resilience and CIS program managers helped him achieve his dreams of playing football in college. 

Junior had an exceedingly difficult high school experience and says that without the support of Communities In Schools and its program managers, he probably would not have graduated high school.

During his freshman year of high school, Junior was told that his mother was dying of cancer. On her deathbed, Junior’s mother asked to see CIS Program Managers Morgan Eary and Kimeeka Brown. She asked them to please look out for him and make sure that he succeeded in life because she would not be there to do it herself.

When Mrs. Brown and Ms. Eary heard that Junior’s mother had passed, they showed up at her memorial to support Junior through one of his toughest times. He was surprised to see them. “That really showed me how much they cared for me as well,” said Junior.  

Following Junior’s mother’s wish, CIS program managers made sure that Junior stayed on track. From getting him basketball shoes to pursue athletics to providing him a supportive space to do schoolwork, CIS program managers helped him with whatever he needed in order to be successful. 

“[My CIS program managers] checking up on me, it really meant the world to me. I’ll never forget them no matter how long I’m on this Earth,” said Junior. 

Junior will be graduating this May with all A’s! He received a football scholarship to Bethany College and will start his first semester in August 2022!

Watch a video about Junior’s story here: https://www.cistarrant.org/video-success-stories/junior